Photo Galleries

That rain put a slight damper on the Fourth of July celebrations in Hendersonville on Thursday. The annual parade was canceled Wednesday night, which left few places to partake in patriotism in Hendersonville.

The museum, however, was in full patriotic swing as board members and volunteers handed out ice cream and bottles of water to the folks who braved the rain-drenched morning to visit downtown. The ice cream social had a steady stream of visitors, but the sweet treat wasn't all they were getting.

The folks that came up for ice cream also toured the new train display inside the museum.

“We've had people all morning,” board Chairman Carolyn Justus said. “I'm thrilled (by the turnout).” Ice cream that wasn't handed out on Thursday will be donated, she added.

Across the county, the rains poured, but there weren't many problems on the roads, local officials said. Police departments reported few accidents. Fire departments across the county reported light flooding. There weren't many fallen trees and the power outages were at a minimum.

DOT responded to areas of flooding, said Rocky Hyder, the county's Emergency Services director. The main flooding areas were around the French Broad River, he said.

“It's expected to continue to flood for the next several days,” Hyder said.

The primary areas of flooding are River and Big Willow roads.

Overall, the storm dropped nearly three inches of rain in the area, said Danny Gant. Gant, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said the rain should continue into Friday morning.

Despite the slight havoc the rain caused at local events, it didn't keep the Hulseys indoors.

Charles, his brother, Tanner, and dad, Brett, were out in the cool, damp morning to celebrate the holiday.

“It's nice to be downtown and see them having fun,” Brett Hulsey said.

The added flair of flags, ice cream and people dressed up in red, white and blue added to the experience, he said.

<p>Charles Hulsey marched around the courtyard of the Historic Courthouse in downtown Hendersonville on Thursday morning. The 5-year-old donned a yellow rain jacket and carried a small American flag. </p><p>He marched through puddles from a heavy morning rain. </p><p>That rain put a slight damper on the Fourth of July celebrations in Hendersonville on Thursday. The annual parade was canceled Wednesday night, which left few places to partake in patriotism in Hendersonville. </p><p>The museum, however, was in full patriotic swing as board members and volunteers handed out ice cream and bottles of water to the folks who braved the rain-drenched morning to visit downtown. The ice cream social had a steady stream of visitors, but the sweet treat wasn't all they were getting.</p><p>The folks that came up for ice cream also toured the new train display inside the museum. </p><p>“We've had people all morning,” board Chairman Carolyn Justus said. “I'm thrilled (by the turnout).” Ice cream that wasn't handed out on Thursday will be donated, she added.</p><p>Across the county, the rains poured, but there weren't many problems on the roads, local officials said. Police departments reported few accidents. Fire departments across the county reported light flooding. There weren't many fallen trees and the power outages were at a minimum. </p><p>DOT responded to areas of flooding, said Rocky Hyder, the county's Emergency Services director. The main flooding areas were around the French Broad River, he said. </p><p>“It's expected to continue to flood for the next several days,” Hyder said. </p><p>The primary areas of flooding are River and Big Willow roads.</p><p>Overall, the storm dropped nearly three inches of rain in the area, said Danny Gant. Gant, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said the rain should continue into Friday morning. </p><p>Despite the slight havoc the rain caused at local events, it didn't keep the Hulseys indoors.</p><p>Charles, his brother, Tanner, and dad, Brett, were out in the cool, damp morning to celebrate the holiday. </p><p>“It's nice to be downtown and see them having fun,” Brett Hulsey said. </p><p>The added flair of flags, ice cream and people dressed up in red, white and blue added to the experience, he said. </p><p>“They've enjoyed that today,” Hulsey said.</p><p>Reach Millwood at 828-694-7881 or at joey.millwood@blueridgenow.com.</p>